Fujifilm USB tether shooting not working with a phone: fixes
By the CloudTether team · Updated
Short answer: set the camera's connection mode to USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO (or FIXED) before you plug in — card-reader and RAW-conversion modes won't tether. On newer bodies also set USB POWER SUPPLY/COMM SETTING to AUTO or POWER SUPPLY OFF/COMM ON, use a data cable, and take a test shot to see where the files are being saved.
Likely causes
- The connection mode set to USB CARD READER, USB RAW CONV./BACKUP RESTORE or a webcam mode instead of USB tether shooting.
- On newer bodies, the USB power and communication setting not allowing data.
- AUTO not switching over on your body, where FIXED would.
- A charge-only cable, or a Lightning iPhone without Apple's camera adapter.
- Auto power off putting the camera to sleep.
How to fix it, step by step
Set the connection mode to USB tether shooting
On newer bodies (X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, GFX 100 II) it's in the Network/USB setting menu, along with the USB power setting, as below. On older menus it's usually MENU › Connection setting › PC Connection Mode › USB Tether Shooting Auto (or Fixed).
- Network/USB setting menu
- CONNECTION MODE
- USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO
- USB POWER SUPPLY/COMM SETTING
- AUTO
Allow data on the USB power setting
Choose AUTO, or POWER SUPPLY OFF/COMM ON, under USB POWER SUPPLY/COMM SETTING. The second keeps the cable for data, so the camera doesn't try to run from the phone's battery.
Try FIXED if AUTO doesn't connect
AUTO switches to tethering when a host connects; FIXED keeps the camera in tether mode. If the phone never sees the camera on AUTO, try FIXED.
Use a USB-C data cable
Current X and GFX bodies have USB-C, so a USB-C to USB-C data cable goes straight into a USB-C iPhone, iPad or Android phone. A Lightning iPhone needs Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter. If the camera charges but never appears, the cable is probably charge-only.
Keep the camera awake
Lengthen AUTO POWER OFF in the power management settings so the camera doesn't sleep and drop the cable link between sets.
Connect, shoot, then check the card
Turn the camera on, open CloudTether, tap Connect a camera on Home and plug in (or choose Fujifilm from the brand list). Take a test shot. Then look at the card: some Fujifilm bodies send shots over the cable instead of writing them to the card while tethered. If the card stays empty, add a storage destination such as Dropbox, Google Drive or FTP, or keep copies on the phone, so you still have two.
GFX files take seconds, not fractions of one
Uncompressed RAW from a 100-megapixel GFX can pass 200 MB a frame. CloudTether reads large files in chunks, so they do arrive, but each one takes seconds. Use compressed RAW, or JPEG only for anything that needs to reach a client quickly. Your film simulation stays in the camera's JPEGs, so galleries see the look you chose.
FAQ
Which connection mode does a Fujifilm need to tether to a phone?
USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO, or FIXED if AUTO doesn't connect. USB CARD READER and USB RAW CONV./BACKUP RESTORE won't tether.
What should USB POWER SUPPLY/COMM SETTING be?
AUTO, or POWER SUPPLY OFF/COMM ON, which keeps the cable for data.
Why is my card empty after tethering a Fujifilm?
Some Fujifilm bodies send shots over the cable instead of writing them to the card while tethered. Check with a test shot, and add a storage destination or keep copies on the phone.
Does CloudTether tether Fujifilm over Wi-Fi?
Fujifilm Wi-Fi is experimental in CloudTether. Use a USB cable for paid work.
Which Fujifilm cameras work over USB?
X bodies such as the X-T5, X-T4, X-T30 II, X-H2, X-H2S, X-S20 and X100VI, and GFX bodies such as the GFX 100 II. USB is verified on an X-T3.
Tether your camera to your phone with CloudTether
Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm over USB or Wi-Fi, on iPhone, iPad and Android. Every full-resolution shot is copied off the camera and delivered to Dropbox, Google Drive, a client gallery or FTP while you keep shooting.